My back is hurting. I have cut myself more times then I can count, I have spilled salt in my open wound... But the Much Awaited 40 GAL is RUNNING!!! It only took two trips to Home Depot...

Enjoy this picture of before the water was in but rock work was done (or all I have the desire to do tonight on the rock work!)

All that is left now is the Canopy (Who wants to help me build it?) and to let it cycle!!!!

congrats

nice lawn......

sweet deal man, whats gonna go in it?

I help you build the canopy if you help me move the 90. Deal?

sweet deal man, whats gonna go in it?


My Wallet.... I am just going to set it in there. I figure, that is where it is going anyways!!!!


No, So far I have a Tomato Clown, a Zebra Damsel in QT for this tank. I figure the Clown is going to need a nice RBTA to call home. After that I am pretty open to ideas... I am trying not to put anything that is in my 55 gal, so no percs, no tang (too small anyways) no flame angel, no neon goby, no mandrin, no jawfish. So I am thinking about moving my Fire shrimp over to the 40 gal, getting a 6 line, maybe a diamond goby. Any thoughts? It is a blank slate to start from...

nice. and i know that burns

Any thoughts? It is a blank slate to start from...

How about a rare, exotic NonCom fish? We'll make this one available to you for a price....

Feast Your Eyes On The Aformentioned Rare NonCom Fish (http://animal-world.com/encyclo/marine/damsels/sgtmajor.php)

*wink*

How many tanks do you have?? I read at least 3 in that one post.

Lookin good!

Looks good! I'm suprised you don't have a tank resident plan all set out yet :). Considering you already have a reef tank, I assume this will be your anemone tank?

If so you could do what Lee had with different anemones and their respective anemonefish.

I thought Jen was picking the fish this time.... good to see you got it up and running! I would seriously look at glasscages.com for the canopy. It is hard to build one as cheap as you can buy one from them. Oh and they are pretty close to my home town so I can probably swing by and pick it up for you.

I thought Jen was picking the fish this time.... good to see you got it up and running! I would seriously look at glasscages.com for the canopy. It is hard to build one as cheap as you can buy one from them. Oh and they are pretty close to my home town so I can probably swing by and pick it up for you.


Ya, get this, she is refering to the 55 gal as HER tank!!! But in the end, I will let her pick these fish (with a few suggestions from me!) ;)

As for GlassCages... You know me, I am on a DEEP budget... They want something like $150 for a canopy and I just do not know if I want to try to swing that right now. I was hoping to get away with like $50-$75 with help from my FRIENDS!!! ;)

I think it is $125, but I can see saving a couple bucks. If I could saw a straight line, I would help you out on it.

Ya then I do not know what I am going to do to match it with the stand. The stand is MDF with that wood finish prefab fake stuff... I do not know what to do to match it the best I can.

MDF is a bad idea around water unless you got some really new stuff.

I know but it is the stand that I have had for this tank for years...

So I need a canopy + Stand!!! ;)

Oh Ya for about $150! ;)

Are you sure it is MDF? Does it have layers in the board (plywood)?

OK OK, this thread has gone way too far. I have built a custom canopy before. I am pretty ok with woodworking. NO MDF WITH MOISTURE!!! NO NO!! Outside of that, I can help you if you need. Let me know.

brandon.....that rock work looks terrible!!!!

hahhaa....just kidding, I love it! can't wait to see it fully stocked......

OK OK, this thread has gone way too far. I have built a custom canopy before. I am pretty ok with woodworking. NO MDF WITH MOISTURE!!! NO NO!! Outside of that, I can help you if you need. Let me know.

Someone should hold a canopy/stand workshop. Everyone bring their own materials... tools all in 1 locale... a couple guys with know-how to host.

Bet you'd get a lot of comers.

~Linda

great... just what we need.... a room full of "squares"

HA!!

lol... okay sorry...

lol

omg....

Brandon... I'm no woodworking expert, but if you need a hand... just let me know. (I'm not too far from Lawrenceville)

great... just what we need.... a room full of "squares"

HA!!

lol... okay sorry...

lolI think I pulled something gagging from this...

Wait a minute. That's a picture from a magazine ad! Brandon, when are your really going to set your tank up?

What's wrong with showing off your tank! Here's mine (J/K):

It's looking good Brandon... you too Mark!

As far as the canopy, it could be done pretty cheap depending on the wood and trim level. A nice sheet of furniture grade ply shouldn't be more than $40 depending on what you wanted. As far as the stand, you could always skin it in something else to match or just build a new a one from scratch.


David

i'll ask my dad to see if he can get you a sheet of finishing plywood (the kind that BIG D used on his 180 gall the vertical striped kind, i am almost sure he could get it cheap or for free let me ask him tomarrow

i'll ask my dad to see if he can get you a sheet of finishing plywood (the kind that BIG D used on his 180 gall the vertical striped kind, i am almost sure he could get it cheap or for free let me ask him tomarrow


That would be awsome... Ya I think the stand is not long for the world.. one good spill (and we all have them with a reef tank) and the thing could be shot!!!

You want some really nice, prefinished oak plywood and piano hinges?
Enough for both the stand and canopy?

PM me.
I'll deliver it to your door, as soon as Wednesday afternoon.
Lemme know. Seriously. It's yours!

All you have to do is keep my cat and tank company for a week and it's yours. :)

Here is a picture of the canopy I built on my first tank (10 ga). I was in my sophmore year of college and had no money. I think I spent about $100. I used nice cedar and decent stain. The $100 included ballasts, bulbs, and wiring for all custom lighting. I later added a bottom trim too.

Before you ask how i did that so cheaply, here is a picture of the lighting scheme. 2x13W 7600K bulbs, 1x 50/50 20W bulb, and 1x18W 10K PC that is in the lid (not shown). Necessity is the mother of invention. Not the best ever, but it did ok. I later added fans and bottom trim.

Crap, wrong one, sorry...

nm

Here is a picture of the canopy I built on my first tank (10 ga). I was in my sophmore year of college and had no money. I think I spent about $100. I used nice cedar and decent stain. The $100 included ballasts, bulbs, and wiring for all custom lighting. I later added a bottom trim too.


Ok you just got hired... Hope you work cheap!

It's looking good Brandon... you too Mark!

As far as the canopy, it could be done pretty cheap depending on the wood and trim level. A nice sheet of furniture grade ply shouldn't be more than $40 depending on what you wanted. As far as the stand, you could always skin it in something else to match or just build a new a one from scratch.


David

So............ David

When ARE you hosting a workshop for building stands/canopies? hmmmmmm?

I'll supply the beer!!!

~Linda

(rethinking that .... beer.... power tools)

I'll supply the lemonade & cookies!!

All you have to do is keep my cat and tank company for a week and it's yours. :)


Man, that should be worth a canopy and a stand... :D


Big D

So............ David

When ARE you hosting a workshop for building stands/canopies? hmmmmmm?

I'll supply the beer!!!

~Linda

(rethinking that .... beer.... power tools)

I'll supply the lemonade & cookies!!




Me?... I'm really not that great at working with wood. :D


If everything goes as planned (it never does), I'm going to try to build some raised panel doors for my stand today so I can actually take a picture of it. :doh: Who knows, maybe start on the canopy tomorrow (I'll prpobably still be working on the doors). :roll:



David

Brandon,
Do you have the tools to do it? Miter saw, clamps, table vise, beer?

Beer... check... the rest I think you are in trouble on.

Me?... I'm really not that great at working with wood. :D


If everything goes as planned (it never does), I'm going to try to build some raised panel doors for my stand today so I can actually take a picture of it. :doh: Who knows, maybe start on the canopy tomorrow (I'll prpobably still be working on the doors). :roll:



David

need an apprentice?

Darn (Newnan) ... never mind. :'(

Brandon,
Do you have the tools to do it? Miter saw, clamps, table vise, beer?


Cameron is right, Beer I am all set on... the rest, I am pretty SOL on. I might be able to borrow those things from another NICE reefer or a friend.

Cameron is right, Beer I am all set on... the rest, I am pretty SOL on. I might be able to borrow those things from another NICE reefer or a friend.

I know a homebuilder who has tools....

I know a homebuilder who has tools....


Can that homebuilder help build a canopy and stand better then most home builders build houses?!? ;)

Seriously, I would be very thankful!!!

Miter saw and clamps are the two essentials (outside of the beer of course). Otherwise you will have unsightly seams where the wood goes together. When are you planning on trying to do this?

Can that homebuilder help build a canopy and stand better then most home builders build houses?!? ;)

Seriously, I would be very thankful!!!
o.k. lets go easy on the homebuilders. We are already beat up. Do I hear Clarke Howard talking in the background?

Oh yeah, I forgot to add a good drill to the list. I have the drill, but we might need to stop by HD for a few drill bits. Also, are you wanting to mount fans in this canopy. If so we also need a hole saw bit. I might actually have an extra fan.

Can that homebuilder help build a canopy and stand better then most home builders build houses?!? ;)

Seriously, I would be very thankful!!!

He builds a mighty tight house, but doesn't claim to be a trim carpenter

tools abound in our garage though

o.k. lets go easy on the homebuilders. We are already beat up. Do I hear Clarke Howard talking in the background?


No you hear an appraiser talking! ;) I see some of the work that is performed and some of "workmanship" that goes into building a home in 30 days.

Nothing against a home builder because I know a few good ones but I see ALOT of bad ones!!!

No you hear an appraiser talking! ;) I see some of the work that is performed and some of "workmanship" that goes into building a home in 30 days.

Nothing against a home builder because I know a few good ones but I see ALOT of bad ones!!!

I live in one of those *badly-built-newer-homes* and sometimes it's tuff living with a homebuilder who DOES build a quality product as he constantly goes around saying "omg-look-at-THAT" and tossing more expletives at the builder.

But... cut the builders some slack. They're not building on their own time schedule. Gotta meet the deadlines of the developers. That's where the real beef should lie, IMHO, @#$%& developers. ('course... with MY home... the developer and the builder are one and the same... so... we'll continue to toss expletives @ him.)

PM me if you're house hunting and want the name of this particular builder/developer... and do mega walk-throughs with mega punch-lists before you buy a home from him. He's still putting in subdivisions in Cobb County (and probably elsewhere).

~L

Brandon, if you can draw what you want, I have the saw, drills, etc to build it. JLMK.

Can you post a pic of the MDF stand that the tank is currently on before I step onto my woodworking soap box?


Loren W.

Okay. You've got the tools, the experience, the plans, the beer and the gumption....

But do you have the materials?

I've got all the primo plywood you need, and I need to be rid of it.

And Big D, my cat is the epitome of easy going, laid back and slack....
after he has had his tuna for dinner.

I am happy to help with any grunt boy help you need making the canopy. Let me know.

I would recommend going away from plywood unless you plan on painting it. Hardwood is a little more expensive but holds up to moisture better and looks amazing if you get a good stain. JMO.

Ya I would like it to be stained.... It is in my home office and the furnature in there is Cherry wood... But see how much I know about woodworking, can you stain plywood? The price is free so that you can not beat but if it is not going to work for what I need it to then....

Brandon...
I can help you out if your still looking!

If memory serves me correctly, you saw my setup. I have pretty much all the tools to build a nice stand/canopy!

Ya I would like it to be stained.... It is in my home office and the furnature in there is Cherry wood... But see how much I know about woodworking, can you stain plywood? The price is free so that you can not beat but if it is not going to work for what I need it to then....

The simple answer is yes, you can stain plywood. However, it is going to look like exactly that, stained plywood. I am sticking by recommendation to spend some money and get a hardwood like oak. This is going to be a focal point in your house and you don't want it looking hokey. You will get a much richer cherry finish and a much better looking grain pattern. Plus you get the added peace of mind that it isn't going to swell up or warp due to moisture.

By the way, on a side note, I found a decent canopy plan that should not be that hard to make and will work out nicely I think. Do think about how you want this to be propped though.

Ya natural wood might be best. I just need to look in to prices.

I want it to open in the front. It can be piano hinge ot just doors, it really does not matter to me. Doors on a 36" tank mike look hokey though.

Thanks for all the help guys... I will be calling the guys with tools when we get a plan together and the wood worked out! I smell an ARC group project!! ;)

Furniture grade ply is just that... most kitchen cabinets have plywood in them at some point or other. It can be finished just as nice as solid wood. You can go solid hardwood, but your going to compromise strength not to mention spend a lot more $$$.


David

Ya natural wood might be best. I just need to look in to prices.

I want it to open in the front. It can be piano hinge ot just doors, it really does not matter to me. Doors on a 36" tank mike look hokey though.

Thanks for all the help guys... I will be calling the guys with tools when we get a plan together and the wood worked out! I smell an ARC group project!! ;)


If it ends up being an ARC group project, please count me in.

:D

I haven't done this before, but a hardwood veneer might be a possibility.

I am with Big D. Plywood is the way to go. Mine is plywood built and the sectionals are about as strong as it gets. When was the last time you saw subflooring warp compared to hardwood flooring?

My stand is plywood wood with a oak veneer. The canopy is oak. Both can be stained a varity of colors. I used cherry, but it is not as deep a cherry as my desk because they used cherry veneer.

I applied two coats of stain and several coats of varnish. You can buy varnish for marine applications but I am not sure if you really need that as long as you keep everything clean and wiped down. I have never used it on the 3 stands that I built. The regular varnish worked fine. Again I used several coats to protect the would. Stain and varnishing is easy.

As you know will get the structural strength from the frame in the stand. The plywood is just the cover. I would say must home built stands are over engineered but that is okay. I know mine is but I sleep good at night.

Hood are a little different. Searching the internet for hood designs will drive you to drink. There are only a thousand ways to build such a box.

Decide what you want. What lights are you using. Where are the ballast and reflectors etc. Do you want fans on the hoods. Do you need or want from to put your arm into the tank through the hood. How does it open?

A hood can have frame with a plywood cover. Inside is what counts.

Doug is right, the strength is in the frame... the entire frame on my stand is made from 3/4" ply, 3 pieces laminated together in most places. It's much stronger than 2x's any day (I'm sure your familiar with LVL's). The facing is hardwood paneling for Waynes coating from HD. I'll get off my plywood soap box now, when are we gonna build this thing Brandon? From the sounds of it, your in for a whole stand/canopy build with all the volunteers. Draw the frame work out to dimensions, build it, and then skin it for the look you want. Don't worry about drawing out the outside, just make it up as you go! :up: I would have volunteered from day one, but with my schedule and being so far away, it might be tough. I don't have small tools either, some can be loaded in the truck, but my table saw is the biggest Rigid they make and it stays on the ground. :yes:


David

A sheet of one side sanded plywood is all you need.

Some piano hinge.

Table saw, miter saw, drill, hole saws and presto. You can stain the canopy to match your old stand or you can veneer a 1/4 plywood over the old stand and stain all with minwax to match. Minwax makes three or four stains in the cherry/rose colors.

Add a couple plinth blocks, rosettes and fluted casing and you have a poorman's Big D set up.

No muss, no fuss, inexpensive and a few hours of time.

And BTW I would put a piece of sanded/stained one side sanded plywood up against any stained hardwood the only difference is the grain.




Loren W.

Alright, this is definately hitting the point of too many cooks in the kitchen. Brandon, if you want my help, let me know when you need me through pm or calling (770-713-3208). If not, it sounds like you have plenty of other options. See you at the BBQ.

For the record, that post was not supposed to come across as sour grapes for people disagreeing with me or not wanting to help any more. Brandon is my favorite member so far and I would definately love to help by devoting a weekend to pimp out his tank. It was supposed to read more as, you have a ton of options and opinions on how it should be done. Take your pick on what you want done for your tank and let me know if you need my help. I will be more than happy to lend any 'expertise' that I can give.

Alright, this is definately hitting the point of too many cooks in the kitchen. Brandon, if you want my help, let me know when you need me through pm or calling (770-713-3208). If not, it sounds like you have plenty of other options. See you at the BBQ.


Wow, I did not know I had this many favors outstanding! ;) J/K

Craig, I will call you when I get ready to go...

I will snal a picture of the current stand and the furniture that I would like it to match... I am very skilled in using the diagram software like Flyingarmy and some others. What I am thinking is a stand with two doors but no center beam for the doors. I do not know if that is possible but I would like to not have to manuver the sump/fuge around a center beam in the front. I want the stand to come up and have trim that covers the tank molding so that the stand and tank all look like on piece. I would like the canopy to open in the front (Does not matter how) and have enough access to place my arm in without removing the canopy. The lighting is going to be T5 so height is not really as much of a concern. The canopy can open in the back to allow for good gas exchange and maybe have a hold for a fan in it.

Ok that is all that is on my wish list. I am in court for the rest of the week so I will meet up with anyone that is going to the BBQ and chat a bit then. I would like to get this done in the next 2 weeks before the tank has any livestock in it.

Thanks again ya'll!!!!

Ok, I think I am finally ready to move forward. I am going to have the wood brought over by John this weekend if he is available. Who is REALLY down to help me with this? Can it be built in one day? We are busy tomorrow as a family and I would have liked to do the ARC white water trip on the 4th so I am figuring if we can take two sundays to do it (one to build and one to stain) I can get it all done and then move the tank over and be done with all of this. I am just amazed that they tank appears to have cycled in two weeks! I am going to foul up the water just to make sure but I am kind of at an impass till I can get this stand and canopy done. Please PM me if you are interested in helping....

I am in.